ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Tuesday Feb 5, 2019

Squad replacement named as Maro Itoje injury does not shake England fans’ confidence

England fans are remaining positive after the news emerged that second row Maro Itoje is set to miss a large chunk of the Six Nations. Today, Eddie Jones named his 35-man squad for their next match. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The 24-year-old limped off the field in the second half against Ireland on Saturday, and was seen on crutches after the game. He could make it back for the final game on the championship, but that remains unclear. This comes after he had only recently made his return from another knee injury, and will now face another frustrating spell on the sidelines.

It was confirmed that he suffered a knee ligament injury and is expected to only be available towards the end of the tournament.

The Saracen will certainly be missed in the coming matches, as he was putting in a performance that the England fans have grown accustomed to before he exited the field.

Barring his erroneous challenge on Keith Earls in the first half of the match, Itoje was a persistent thorn in Ireland’s side, causing havoc at the breakdown and typifying his team’s ruthless defensive effort.

However, a number of fans have pointed out on Twitter that England’s depth in locks means that they can survive without Itoje. Eddie Jones has long been an admirer of the second-rows that he has at his disposal, and has struggled to land on the two that are his favourite. While Itoje gets the nod usually from the Australian, his partner has frequently varied.

This has sometimes been due to injuries, but equally down to the form of each player.

ADVERTISEMENT

In Itoje’s absence, Joe Launchbury will come back into the squad to partner George Kruis, while equally, Courtney Lawes could also play the required role.

The Northampton forward made a very good account of himself when he came on in the latter stages in Dublin, throwing his body around and putting in some huge hits in defence. While he still may remain an impact substitution, or ‘finisher’, England certainly would not be weakened if he started.

Today it was confirmed that Saracens’ Nick Isiekwe has joined the 35-man squad in Itoje’s place.

With that depth, it’s unlikely that the team will be under strength when they host France at Twickenham this coming Sunday.

ADVERTISEMENT

35-man England squad for France Test

Forwards
Jack Clifford, Dan Cole, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Ben Earl *, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Nathan Hughes, Nick Isiekwe, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Ben Moon, Brad Shields, Kyle Sinckler, Jack Singleton*, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, Harry Williams, Mark Wilson
Backs
Chris Ashton, Mike Brown, Joe Cokanasiga, Elliot Daly, Ollie Devoto, Owen Farrell (captain), George Ford, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Dan Robson*, Henry Slade, Ben Te’o, Ollie Thorley*, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Youngs
*uncapped

This is what the fans had to say on the Itoje injury:

Related Articles

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Tuilagi set to leave England

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    Alex Davies returns from injury

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    Eddie Jones Set For NRL



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    The latest member of the Tuilagi Rugby dynasty dominates in the Top 14 promotion play-off

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Springbok winger with the most athletic non-try of the season

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Jack Crowley drops the ball on dime for brilliant Munster try in URC Final

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: World class offload from James O’Connor Leads To Long Range Reds Try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster up and running with two incredible tries inside the first five minutes

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Marcos Kremer shown red card for reckless shot on Finn Russell

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Heroic tackle from Spanish 7s player goes viral

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    No sanction handed down by SANZAAR for tackle that left Reds player with a fractured neck

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Cheslin Kolbe Dominates Sebastian Cancelliere with back-to-back big tackles

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Ben Curry's World Cup hopes dashed as he becomes the latest victim of the crocodile roll

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Barbarians Vs World XV highlights

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Silly Skill From Toulouse Fullback Highlights French Confidence

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Ardie Savea Moment Of Magic In Super Rugby Aotearoa

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    'Armchair athletes' berate Arundell's seriously impressive bench press

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Worcester Warriors - The End

View All

Funnies

  • 15 HOURS AGO

    Watch: Savagely cruel bounce see’s Canada U20 concede brutal try

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Mack Hansen gets Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on leg

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    "Hey Manie oh ah I wanna know if I can block that kick" – Munster's hilarious new song

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Munster Rugby loving life in Cape Town Following URC Final Victory

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: La Rochelle Players Gate Crash O’Gara Interview

View All

Amateur

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 44 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 45 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Legendary playmaker announces new move

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Horrific footage has emerged of Mohamed Haouas attack on wife

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Mack Hansen gets Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on leg

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    French international receives prison sentence for attack on wife

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    John Afoa breaks record on return to Super Rugby

View All